Transplantation proceedings
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Some groups have reported early extubation post-liver transplantation in patients with previously defined criteria, in an attempt to shorten the ICU stay and decrease costs. We review our experience with trends in mechanical ventilation and resource utilization. ⋯ We demonstrate improved results, decreased length of mechanical ventilation, ICU, and hospital stay, and costs. The immediate postoperative extubation may be feasible for patients who meet previously defined criteria.
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Successful solid organ transplant programs need effective organ procurement systems. Evaluating and maintaining the quality of an organ procurement system requires multilevel institutional coordination as well as reliable information regarding potential donors. The objective of this study was to analyze the potential to generate adult solid organ donors at a countrywide level as well as at individual hospital levels in Uruguay from 2000 to 2002. ⋯ The conversion of potential donors to actual donors is similar to that seen in developed countries. However, the registered incidence of brain deaths in relation to the number of ICU beds is surprisingly below the recognized standard figure. To approach the reasons for this difference, efficient quality control mechanisms are needed in the various ICUs as well as comprehensive medical case history reviews of all patient records.